The Wisconsin Act 10 basically made it more difficult for unions to collect dues and reduced the incentive for people to join unions by reducing the effectiveness of union bargaining. The intent was clear and union membership dropped significantly. Walker capitalized on the depressed economy by promising a little extra cash to workers for immediate gratification, rather than envision the long-term financial advantages of having collective bargaining over a lifetime of employment.

But his invocation of classic “bread and circuses” and “austerity” did not end there. He cut funding for public education by $1.6 billion. Wisconsin's technical college program that provided workers the training or re-training they needed to advance in an evolving economy was slashed. The safety net protecting seniors and the state's most vulnerable faced historic funding cuts.

The budget Walker introduced in 2011 was a model “bait and switch” with Medicaid in order to fool the casual follower of political economics. He set a baseline for Medicaid of $1.2 billion, but then after what appeared to be fully funding the program—he reduced it.

According to a report in the “Journal Sentinel, PolitiFact Wisconsin,” Charles Morgan, the top expert on health services at the nonpartisan Wisconsin Legislative Fiscal Bureau, explained:

"They first fully funded it but then reduced it. It depends on what you are comparing it to, the gross funding or the base. Total funding is up, but there is a funding reduction."

The cuts were aimed at federal programs that care for low-income families and children under 19, elderly and disabled.

Walker’s gamesmanship pits one group of the Middle Class Americans against another. The governor’s budget cut education costs and short changed public employee benefits equating to savings in his budget.

In 2011 Dennis Smith, Walker’s Health Services chief, explained Walker’s budget when it came out: "Despite a historic 23% increase to the Department's budget, Wisconsin's Medicaid program still faces a serious fiscal challenge over the next two years as we identify over $500 million in cost savings. To meet our goals, and balance the Medicaid budget, we have to find ways to be more efficient and cut costs."

Walker’s brand of austerity, which did not work for Greece, will be his plan for the Republican platform if he manages to capture the nomination. Unlike Jeb Bush and Mitt Romney, Walker has not shown any indication that he will move to the center, which is the only way to win a national election.

This is what American governance might look like if Scott Walker were elected president:

Ease tax burden on the wealthy and corporations—but not for the Middle ClassReduce regulatory practices that protect workers and ensure fairness and safety in the workplace.

Make eliminating collective bargaining a national agenda

Marriage is only between a man and woman

Supports the death penalty

Supports charter schools—this is one more way to lure the economically depressed into believing a voucher system benefits them instead of paid public education. Vouchers, like not having to pay union dues, put cash in the hands of Americans, but it also erodes the quality of public education disadvantaging those with lower income and the poor.

Instigates voucher systems to eliminate Social Security and Medicare

For me, Scott Walker is the king of “bait and switch,” which works for the casual, uninformed voter. And his speech about “making a name for the future” sounds more like a blast from the Barry Goldwater past. And we know how that ended.

In Goldwater’s book The Conscience of a Conservative, he builds the groundwork for an unwavering distrust of government. Then on the basis of distrust his arguments take root against graduated or progressive taxation and social welfare. Phrases used back in 1964 suggesting “distrust of government” have now been euphemized with “putting money back into the hands of Americans” and “letting states decide issues, instead of the federal government.” It’s the same conservative drivel repackaged to lure Middle Class voters struggling under the stresses of economic decline since the Great Recession—which they did not cause.

Goldwater’s economic propositions, regarded by many as tea party values, are being recycled by Walker the conservative with no conscience. Even though he wants to appear somehow “new” and “revised,” in reality he spouts the same anti-government agenda that has never won a national election.

A healthy and well educated population is the best defense of democracy. Wonder why these right wing politicians world wide are trying their best to cut funding in those areas.

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Dava Castillo

is retired and lives in Clearlake, California. She has three grown
children and one grandson and a Bachelor’s degree in Health Services
Administration from St. Mary’s College in Moraga California. On the
home front Dava enjoys time with her family, reading, gardening, cooking
and sewing. After writing for four
years on the news site Allvoices.com on a variety of topics including
politics, immigration, sustainable living, and other various topics,
Dava has more than earned the title of citizen journalist. Politics is one of her passions, and she follows current events regularly.
In addition, Dava has written about sustainable living and
conservation. She completed certification at the University of
California Davis to become a Master Gardener and has volunteered in
that capacity since retirement.

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